Rock County 4-H
New Family Handbook
Welcome to 4-H!
“A community of young people across America
learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills.”
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University of Wisconsin Extension – Rock County
Courthouse, 51 S. Main Street
Janesville, Wisconsin 53545
(608) 757-5696 / Fax (608) 757-5581
Dear 4-H Families:
Welcome to the Rock County 4-H program!
We're glad that you've chosen to become part of 4-H! Your family is joining approximately 150,000
youth and 13,000 adults throughout the state of Wisconsin who are members and volunteer leaders in the
4-H program. In Rock County there are approximately 1,200 youth and 400 adult volunteers involved in
4-H, making it the largest 4-H club program in the state!
The purpose of this handbook is to acquaint your family with the various aspects of the 4-H program.
You can read about 4-H in general, Rock County 4-H policies, the different types of leaders at the club
and county levels, how 4-H relates to the University of Wisconsin-Extension and how the county fair
relates to 4-H.
In addition to the New Family Handbook, there is another important source of information regarding the
Rock County 4-H program. The monthly 4-H newsletter, "Cloverpatch", always contains the most
updated information on upcoming events, activities and meetings. It's very important to read the
Cloverpatch every month! If you are not receiving a copy of the newsletter, contact the UW-Extension
office at 757-5696. The Cloverpatch is also available at the UW-Extension Rock County website:
http://fyi.uwex.edu/4hrock/.
Finally, please don't hesitate to call us at the UW-Extension office if you have any questions about the
4-H program. We're here to help you in any way we can!
Sincerely,
Laura Vander Veen
4-H Program Coordinator
UW-Extension Rock County
An AA/EEO employer, the University of Wisconsin-Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming
including Title VI, Title IX and ADA requirements.
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Frequently Asked Questions: The 4-H Program
What is 4-H?
4-H is an educational youth organization that belongs to the members, their families, and
other interested adults who serve as volunteer leaders. Professional leadership is provided
by faculty and staff of the University of Wisconsin-Extension. Support for the 4-H
program is a joint effort of local county government, the University of Wisconsin, and the
United States Department of Agriculture.
What is the 4-H Emblem?
The national 4-H emblem is a four-leaf clover with the letter “H” on each leaf.
What are the four H’s?
The four H’s stand for Head, Heart, Hands, and Health. They represent the four-fold
development in which members participate, which is illustrated by the 4-H pledge below.
What is the 4-H Pledge?
The national 4-H pledge is as follows:
What is the 4-H Slogan?
The 4-H slogan is “Learn by Doing”. This slogan describes the basic educational purpose
of the 4-H program.
What is the purpose of 4-H?
The purpose of 4-H is to provide learning opportunities for youth, volunteers, and parents
that assist them in developing appropriate and essential life skills such as decision
making, relating to others, communicating with others, and developing self-esteem. 4-H
clubs, projects, and activities are all vehicles for teaching those life skills.
“I pledge my Head to clearer thinking, my Heart to greater
loyalty, my Hands to larger service, and my Health to better
living for my Club, my Community, my Country and my World.”
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What is a 4-H club?
Each 4-H member belongs to a 4-H club in the community or at school. Community 4-H
clubs meet once a month; after school 4-H clubs meet once a week during the school
year. Through club membership, 4-H members learn how to cooperate with others, how
to make decisions as a group, and how to be effective leaders.
What is a 4-H project?
Each 4-H member signs up for one or more projects, or educational areas. A project is a
topic the member wants to learn about during the 4-H year. In addition to club meetings,
members can attend small group meetings with project leaders held specifically for their
projects. Through project work, 4-H members can learn responsibility and new skills in
their projects.
What is a 4-H activity?
All 4-H members can participate in a wide variety of 4-H activities, regardless of the
project areas they have selected. Members can participate with their 4-H club in county
activities such as music and drama, volleyball, and softball. Members can also participate
individually in other county activities such as the Communications Arts Festival, 4-H
camp, and many others. Registration information for these county activities can be found
in the 4-H newsletter, the Cloverpatch.
4-H clubs also plan activities at the club level that are open to all club members. Through
participating in activities. 4-H members learn communication skills, cooperation, and
self-confidence.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Rock County 4-H Policies
What is 4-H membership?
A child becomes a 4-H member by joining a community 4-H club or after school 4-H
club. New members are welcome to visit 4-H club meetings and join 4-H at any time
during the year. A list of clubs in Rock County and their meeting times can be found at
the UW-Extension website: http://fyi.uwex.edu/4hrock/ or you may call the office.
Membership is open to all youth regardless of their ethnic background, race, gender,
impairments, religious or political beliefs.
When can youth join 4-H?
Youth in Kindergarten (5K), first, or second grade as of October 1st may join Rock
County 4-H as Cloverbuds. Youth in third grade and up as of October 1st may join as
regular members. Youth continue to be eligible for 4-H membership through one year
beyond high school graduation and not to extend beyond the age of 19 as of December 31
of the enrollment year.
In how many 4-H projects may a 4-H member enroll?
The number of 4-H projects a youth can enroll in is unlimited, however; the maximum
number of projects which can be shown at the Rock County 4-H Fair is six (seven
including Youth Leadership). All members MUST publicly show in ALL projects
enrolled. Ask your club chair how to exhibit publicly in projects not entered at the fair.
Every 4-H member must enroll in at least one project.
What are the achievement requirements?
In order to achieve, or meet the membership requirements for the year, the 4-H member
must complete the following:
Exhibit publicly (at the Rock County 4-H Fair or a club meeting), in each
project enrolled
Submit a completed record book or Year End Summary (YES) to the club
Attend a minimum of three regularly scheduled meetings of his/her 4-H
club
4-H clubs may not set additional requirements for achievement. 4-H members that do not
achieve will be able to join for one year on a probationary basis, meaning they enroll in
only one project. See the full Rock County 4-H Policy at the UW-Extension Rock County
website.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Rock County 4-H Leaders
Club Level:
What is a club chairperson?
A club chairperson is an adult volunteer who serves as the general leader of the 4-H club.
The club chairperson is responsible for the organizational aspects of the club and serves
as the liaison with the county 4-H leadership. Club chairpersons advise youth in making
decisions for the club and may delegate tasks to other leaders and parents.
What is the Club Advisory Board?
The Club Advisory Board is a group of volunteers who support the club chairperson and
assist with his or her responsibilities. Club Advisory Board members also advise the
youth in making decisions, running club meetings, and planning club activities.
What is a project leader?
A project leader is an adult volunteer who helps 4-H members as they learn, make and do
things in a specific project. Project leaders hold educational meetings with groups of 4-H
members or with individual members at the club level.
What is an activity leader?
An activity leader is an adult volunteer who is responsible for organizing and conducting
club activities such as music or drama, softball, and community service activities.
What is a club officer?
A club officer is a youth who has been elected by the club members to fill a specific role
as an officer of the club: president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and so on. Each
club officer has specific duties and responsibilities related to planning, running meetings,
and other club operations.
What is a junior leader?
A junior leader in a specific project is an older 4-H members who has several years’
experience in that project. The junior leader assists the project leader in teaching older
youth about the project.
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County Level:
What is the 4-H Leaders Council?
The 4-H Leaders Council is composed of the Senior Council and Junior Council.
Together, this group of adult and youth volunteers sets policies, makes decisions, and
raises funds for the county 4-H program.
Junior Council also plans and conducts county activities. Monthly Junior Council
meetings are open to any 4-H youth in grade 7 or above.
Monthly Senior Council meetings are open to any 4-H adult volunteers. and meet on the
fourth Monday of the month except in July and December.
What is the Executive Board?
The Executive Board is composed of the officers of the Junior and Senior Councils. The
Executive Board meets monthly to plan the council meetings and is advised by the 4-H
Youth Development staff.
What is a project committee?
4-H project committees are adult and youth volunteers who are responsible for projects at
the county level. They plan and conduct educational meetings and activities in specific
projects that are open to any youth in the county enrolled in those projects.
What is a key leader?
Key leaders are experienced adult volunteers who serve as subject matter resource people
for project leaders, members and parents in a few specific projects. They are available to
assist with project meetings and help members on an individual basis.
What is a 4-H parent?
4-H parents are a very important part of the 4-H member’s experience. Parents are
encouraged to attend club meetings, project meetings and county events with their
children. Parents are also encouraged to volunteer to help with club activities and events
whenever possible.
Regardless of the level of active involvement, it is very important for the member to have
their parent’s support. Children need their parents to support their commitment to 4-H,
the decisions they make and the goals they set. The 4-H member will have a much more
positive experience with the support of parents!
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Please refer to the 4-H Parent’s Guide in this handbook for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions: UW-Extension
What is University of Wisconsin-Extension?
UW-Extension, or UWEX, is a “campus” of the University of Wisconsin system that is
found in all 72 Wisconsin counties. UW-Extension administers educational programs in
the community: 4-H Youth Development, Family Living Education, Community
Resource Development, and Agriculture/Agribusiness. See the Rock County
UW-Extension website, http://rock.uwex.edu/ for more information.
What is an Extension agent?
Extension agents are university faculty and staff members of UW-Extension. In Rock
County, each of the program areas is assigned to at least one Extension agent. Although
the primary responsibility for the county 4-H program rests with the 4-H Youth
Development staff, other Extension staff in Rock County work with specific aspects of
the 4-H program.
What is the role of 4-H Youth Development staff?
The 4-H Youth Development staff administers the county 4-H program. They provide
educational leadership for the program, serve as advisors to the Leaders Council, and
assist key leaders and committees in providing educational opportunities for youth and
adults.
Where are the Rock County UWEX Offices located?
Rock County maintains two UW-Extension offices (Janesville and Beloit) and employs
the support staff. The 4-H Youth Development department is located at the Janesville
office in the Rock County Courthouse. The address is 51 S. Main St., Janesville, WI
53545. The office phone number is (608) 757-5696.
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Frequently Asked Questions: Rock County 4-H Fair
How does 4-H relate to the fair?
The Rock County 4-H Fair has a long and rich traditions of being called a “4-H Fair”. All
fair exhibitors must be youth and many are 4-H members; however, any youth who is
enrolled in Rock County FFA, FHA, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, or an education department
may also exhibit. The Rock County 4-H Fair is actually a youth fair or a junior fair.
Who runs the 4-H Fair?
The Rock County 4-H Fair Board is the sole governing body of the Rock County 4-H
Fair. The Fair Board is independent on the UW-Extension Office.
What is a fair superintendent?
A superintendent is an adult volunteer who is in charge of a specific department at the
fair. Superintendents may or may not also be leaders in the 4-H program. As
superintendents they are accountable to the Fair Board, not to the UW-Extension office.
Where is the Rock County 4-H Fair office located?
The fair office is located on the Craig Avenue side of the Rock County Fairgrounds in
Janesville. The address is P.O. Box 170, Janesville, WI 53547. The phone is 755-1470.
All questions relating to the fair or anything in the Fair Premium Book should be directed
to this office.
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UW-Extension Office
(608) 757-5696
Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – Noon, 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
http://rock.uwex.edu
Contact the UW-Extension office for:
Achievement Banquet Forms, Lists, and Certificates for Clubs
Activity Registrations, Fees, and Information: Volleyball, Softball, etc.
Audio / Visual Resources for Club and Project Meetings
Award Forms and Selection: 4-H Résumé, Project/Activity Awards, Outstanding
Leader Awards, Junior Awards, Clover Awards, and Community Service Awards
Award Trips Fees and Information: State 4-H Youth Conference, Space Camp,
Citizenship Washington Focus, National 4-H Conference, National 4-H Congress
Calendar of 4-H Events
Camp Registration, Fees, and Information
Cloverbud Program Information.
Club Chair Training and Materials
Communication Arts Festival Entries and Information
Computer Lists of Club Members and Leaders
County Achievement Program Awards and Information
County-wide Project Meetings
Enrollment Forms, Fees, and Information
Insurance for 4-H Clubs
Leader Orientation Schedule and Materials
Leaders Council Meetings: Junior and Senior Council
Literature and Educational Materials for Projects
Music and Drama Festival Entries and Information
Cloverpatch Newsletter Address Changes
Record Book, Year End Summary Forms and Guidelines
Risk Management for 4-H Clubs
State Fair Entries
Youth Protection Program Forms and Information
Scholarships
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Rock County 4-H Fair Office
(608) 755-1470
ALWAYS call first!
www.rockcounty4hfair.com
Contact the Rock County 4-H Fair office for:
Face to Face & Honey Judging Recipes (Foods & Nutrition Project)
Fair Association Membership and Meeting Information
Fair Entry Blanks, Information, and Questions
Fair Entry Tags and Backtags
Fair events held prior to the fair: Cat Show, Archery Shoot, Gun Shoot, Rocket
Launch, Aircraft Fly, Bicycle Events, Small Engine Judging, Horse Show and
Pony Show
Fair Passes and Ticket Information
Fair Premium Books
Fair Premium Checks
Fair Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, and Junior Superintendent Lists
Fair Trophies and Ribbons
Fur and Feather Sale Forms and Information
Meat Animal Sale Forms and Information
Style Revue Sheets
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Parent’s Guide for 4-H
At Home:
Encourage your child to take an active role in the club. Help him or her set
priorities about activities and events by scheduling time wisely.
Get to know the youth and families in your club. Volunteer to help with project
meetings and other get-togethers or help with car-pooling to other locations.
Let your child know you’re interested in his or her 4-H experiences and projects.
Help set priorities and goals based on your child’s needs, interests, and time.
Encourage him or her to follow through with commitments by attending meetings
and completing tasks and assignments.
Be available when your child needs you for information, guidance, and support.
Make sure he or she knows you’re there to help when needed. However, refrain
from completing 4-H projects, record book, award forms, and other tasks
yourself.
Praise your child’s efforts and progress on projects or other experiences. Focus on
what’s being learned instead of putting all the emphasis on winning.
Help your child learn that “doing your best” is more important than “being the
best.”
Avoid criticizing or blaming your child for not winning blue ribbons or being
selected for awards. Instead, look for ways the help him or her cope with
disappointment.
At 4-H Club and County Events
Participate with your child in 4-H club meetings and other club and county events.
Stay in touch with your child’s club and project leaders. Let them know you
appreciate the time and effort they’re contributing.
When possible, volunteer your time and talents to lead or assist with projects and
other club and county 4-H events.
Work with other 4-H parents, adults, and youth leaders to make sure 4-H policies,
rules, and procedures reflect what’s best for the youth.
Support your 4-H Youth Development staff’s effort to emphasize and promote the
educations value of 4-H events and activities.
Work with other 4-H parents and volunteers to make sure competitive events will
be handled in a manner that’s healthy and beneficial for all youth involved.
Let 4-H leaders and others know you are appreciative of their efforts by providing
positive and constructive feedback.
An AA/EEO employer, the University of Wisconsin-Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming
including Title VI, Title IX and ADA requirements.
Revised August 2017